Show Me Tell Me Questions

Show Me Tell Me

21 things you need to know

The 21 Show Me Tell Me Questions

On the day of your driving test, the driving examiner will ask you one ‘tell me’ question at the start of the driving test before you start driving, where you’d have to explain how you’d carry out a safety task. You’ll also be asked one ‘show me’ question where you’d actually have to show them how you would carry out a safety task whilst you’re driving. The show me question could be asked at any time during your driving test including the independent driving part of the test. If you’re unsure how to do it when driving on the test then the examiner will ask you to pull up on the left when it’s safe and convenient and ask you you to find the control. It’s a good idea to get familiar with the location of the controls are and how to operate them before you try it when driving. You can’t fail your driving test if you get any of the questions wrong but you would get one driving fault if you answer one or two of the questions incorrectly.

Q1) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?

Operate relevant control to wash and wipe rear windscreen.

Q2) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?

Operate relevant control to wash and wipe front windscreen.

Q3) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?

Operate relevant switch.

Q4) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?

Operate switch to heat rear screen.

Q5) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?

Check is carried out by using control.

Q6) When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?

Q9) Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

Q10) Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable

Q11) Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

Q12) Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

Q13) Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

Q14) Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

Q15) Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

Q16) Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Q17) Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain when you would use them.

Q18) Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.